Nasushiobara City is one of Japan’s leading dairy farming regions, boasting the second-highest raw milk production in the country. With pure water flowing from the Nasu mountain range, clean air, and a cool highland climate even in summer, the cows thrive in this rich natural environment, producing high-quality raw milk. The milk produced here is rich yet has a clean aftertaste. Its gentle flavor, a true taste of nature’s bounty, is its charm. In addition to fresh milk, the Nasu area offers a wide variety of products that utilize the deliciousness of raw milk, including soft serve ice cream, cheese, yogurt, gelato, and sweets. We’ll introduce some of the best recommended items from various shops where you can buy products made with Nasu area milk! Let’s go to Nasushiobara, where delicious milk is born! Enjoy your trip even more while searching for delicious milk-based sweets and dairy products!
Characteristics of dairy products from Nasushiobara City
○History of Livestock Farming Nasushiobara City in Tochigi Prefecture is a town where livestock farming thrives. The refreshing climate of the highlands and the vast plains of Nasunogahara are suitable for livestock farming. Historically, it was known as a horse breeding area, but as the demand for horses declined, the number of farmers raising cattle increased. ○Dairy Cattle Nasushiobara City ranks first in the prefecture for raw milk production value, number of dairy farms raising dairy cattle, and number of cattle raised. Raw milk produced by dairy farmers in the city is shipped to dairy manufacturers through their respective dairy cooperatives, but each dairy cooperative also commercializes the milk as local specialty milk and yogurt. Milk is a food with excellent nutritional balance and contains various nutrients. Why not incorporate easily accessible milk into your daily diet? ○Hygiene Management Keeping livestock barns clean helps prevent infectious diseases, odors and pest outbreaks, and reduces stress on livestock. In order to raise healthy livestock, we strive to keep the breeding environment, such as barns, clean. ○ Nasushiobara City's Brand Character "Miruhii" Do you know Nasushiobara City's brand character "Miruhii"? She is active in various city events.
This milk is made with meticulous care, from the feed the cows eat to the pasture grass that forms it, and the soil in which the grass grows. Using this milk, we have created a smooth texture, a gentle sweetness, and the rich, natural flavor of milk.
Senbonmatsu Farm Drinking Yogurt: 1200 yen (tax included)
The only ingredients are "freshly squeezed raw milk" and "sugar." You can enjoy the rich flavor and natural deliciousness of raw milk. • Store Information Address: 799 Senbonmatsu, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-36-1025 Closed: Open every day Access: 2 minutes by car from Nishinasuno-Shiobara IC
Farmer's Ice Milk (Milk & Strawberry) 480 yen (tax included)
This special ice milk retains the natural flavor of Nasushiobara milk, resulting in a gentle sweetness and rich taste. The "Strawberry" flavor utilizes off-grade strawberries and skim milk (a by-product of butter production) in a delicious way. ⚫︎Store Information Address: 27 Aoki, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-63-0399 Closed: 3rd Tuesday from March to November, Every Tuesday from December to February Access: 10 minutes by car from Kuroiso-Itamuro IC
Roadside Station "Yunoka Shiobara" (Agripal Shiobara)
Milk float: from 648 yen (tax included)
Pasteurized milk topped with homemade daily gelato. • Store Information Address: 442 Sekiya, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-35-4401 Closed: Open every day (except January 1st) Access: 7 minutes by car from Nishinasuno-Shiobara IC
This workshop was established by "Majima Farm," which has a long history of dairy farming. They make cheese using fresh milk from Jersey cows and Holstein cows raised on their own farm. • Store Information Address: 1858-2 Aoki, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 090-6135-1720 Closed: Open only on Saturdays and Sundays Access: 10 minutes by car from Kuroiso-Itamuro IC
Tochigi Aika Cheese Pudding: 900 yen (tax included)
We are committed to using only the finest ingredients, carefully selecting the best flavors, and pursuing the fundamental principle of freshness. We sell cakes that are "freshly made" and "freshly squeezed." Our Tochigi Aika Cheese Pudding is a "three-layered cheese pudding" made with mascarpone, Tochigi Aika mousse, and strawberry sauce. Please enjoy the different flavors of each layer. ⚫︎Store Information Address: 2-146 Nangoya, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-36-2576 Closed: Open every day Access: 12 minutes by car from Nishinasuno Shiobara IC
Nemunoki Confectionery Workshop (Main Store and Wakamatsu Store)
Almond jelly drink: 600 yen (tax included)
Established in 1982, this is a long-established confectionery shop. The shop offers a wide variety of seasonal cakes and their signature baked goods. "Drinking Almond Jelly" is a summer-only sweet that can be enjoyed with one hand, made with milk from Nasushiobara and summer fruits. ⚫︎Store Information Address: 1858-2 Aoki, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 090-6135-1720 Closed: Open only on Saturdays and Sundays Access: 10 minutes by car from Kuroiso-Itamuro IC
Founded in 1905, Shinzuru-do has preserved its taste and passion for four generations in Nasushiobara. With a strong commitment to homemade bean paste and a dough crafted with a focus on texture, Shinzuru-do has created a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth pudding using fresh, locally sourced milk. • Store Information [Main Store] Address: 446-292 Sekkotsugi, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-36-4123 Closed: Wednesdays Access: 3 minutes by car from Nishinasuno-Shiobara IC [Shimonagata Store] Address: 8-1133-1 Shimonagata, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-37-5551 Closed: Tuesdays Access: 15 minutes by car from Nishinasuno-Shiobara IC
This rich cheesecake features a milky flavor brought out slowly at low temperatures (no wheat flour or butter used, except for the tart crust). It's a little different from the popular "Nanayu Cheesecake," which uses red bean paste to represent the seven colors of Shiobara Onsen's hot springs. Enjoy the pure and luxurious richness of milk to your heart's content. ⚫︎Store Information Address: 17 Shiobara, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-32-2337 Closed: Irregular holidays Access: 15 minutes by car from Nishinasuno-Shiobara IC
Enjoy a tour of specialty soft-serve ice cream shops in Nasushiobara.
Nasushiobara City boasts the second-highest raw milk production in Japan. The soft-serve ice cream made with fresh milk from the city's abundant natural environment is rich yet has a clean aftertaste. From the full-bodied milk flavors of farm-direct shops to unique flavors using local ingredients, Nasushiobara offers a wide variety of soft-serve ice cream that will make you want to try them all. As the weather gets warmer, why not stop by during a drive or a hot spring trip and enjoy a refreshing Nasushiobara treat? Enjoy a soft-serve ice cream tour and find your favorite! *Based on the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' "FY2023 Raw Milk Production Volume"